Toronto crowd gets its elbows up in show of solidarity against U.S. tariffs, annexation threats
Torontonians came together in Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday afternoon to show their solidarity against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats. The event was part of the grassroots “Elbows Up, Canada!” campaign, aimed at promoting unity, resilience, and strength in the face of challenges to Canada’s sovereignty.
The rally featured appearances from Canadian celebrities, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Dragons’ Den star Arlene Dickinson, comedian Shaun Majumder, and musician Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. The crowd echoed chants of “elbows up!” in a show of support for the movement, inspired by comedian Mike Myers’ gesture on Saturday Night Live wearing a “Canada is not for sale” t-shirt.
The rally in Toronto was the second “Elbows Up” event in Ontario this month, following a successful gathering of about 1,000 people at Parliament Hill. Majumder, who recently repatriated to Canada after living in California for two decades, expressed his excitement about the growing momentum of the movement across the country.
Co-organizer Peter Wall emphasized that “Elbows Up, Canada!” aims to bring Canadians together in a peaceful and non-partisan way to show support for the country. The message is clear: Canada is worth standing up for, and while the U.S. may be a neighbor and friend, Canadians are not looking to form a closer political union.
The event was a celebration of Canadian pride, with attendees expressing their concerns about the current political climate and the upcoming federal election. Despite the political undertones, the rally remained focused on unity and support for Canada in the face of external pressures.
Overall, the “Elbows Up, Canada!” rally in Toronto was a powerful display of solidarity and resilience in the face of external threats. The message of unity and strength resonated with attendees, who came together to show their support for Canada and push back against challenges to the country’s sovereignty.
